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Tatteredleaf ([personal profile] paragraphs) wrote2010-12-20 08:28 pm

Rock and Roll, I'm Done with B&W

Remember how I posted a couple of posts ago about how Doran, the boss boss from Topeka who fired everyone I cared about at B&W, including my dear boss, was in town? Well guess what! Today, using the most lame, ridiculous and stupidest reasons I've ever heard, he fired me. Yup. Gone. Toast. Christmas week. That is it. 9.5 years with the company mean nothing to him--he wanted me out and he came up with the way. He didn't give a damn about my rock-solid history with the company (he has been with B&W since April). In fact he pretty much told me he didn't believe Chris ever evaluated me honestly. Too good to be true? Nope. I am that good. LOLOL. Word was flying around BNSF, all the people I helped hearing about it (and on the heels of Chris), already and Chris has heard from one who wants to talk to me. It is no secret (he tells me) that after all the work we did in our office was shipped up to Topeka that the quality plummeted. I believe it, as I had super-high standards and wasn't doing it anymore. Rawr. He hears complaints, which I knew, but yeah. Wow.

Soon as I got home I contacted BNSF corporate support, and there are two positions opening early January, both in contracts--lol where I hailed from. Same group. Steve, my former boss there, is happy for me to come back. Chris is there too, and all my old coworkers--I'm going to be welcomed back with open arms.

Insane, huh?

I have to say that though there is shock racing through my system, there are no regrets, there is mostly relief. I did nothing wrong, and I stand by that. I have watched that company go from incredible, awesome, caring and a really fantastic place to work, to a place that now has five people left, and Kevin was interviewing today--he called me on his way, having heard from Juan what happened. Juan too has been polishing his resume with the intent to start hunting after the first of a year.

It has been a fascinating experience, coming into a company--asked to come work there by Chris all those years ago--and doing fantastic work, learning so many new things, and watching it grow and change and catch the excitement of new technologies... And then to see it fall hard as all the best and brightest were systematically pushed out. Splat. And it isn't done yet, I am sure of it. Five people left, one actively looking--what ARE they doing? A year ago we had 14 people there. Now five.

So, here I am! Sitting in my daughter's Starbucks while she works and plies me with coffee. Looks like a couple of weeks off unexpectedly, but with a position after the first of the year. Thank you, Steve! Looking forward to working with that crew again, AND Chris again. :) I'll be cleaning the house and putting the tree up tomorrow with the kids, and we're planning on Tron for Christmas Day and dinner at my friend Leigh Ann's house. It's going to be a good, if very simple Christmas. Next week my sister Leslie and her daughter Lexie are coming, so that will be fun. And then hopefully the following week I can get back to BNSF.

In the meantime, I've got a lot of rewriting to get done, a book to polish, and another to finish. Will try to make the most of these two unexpected weeks off, and make 2011 a different, but awesome year. :)

[identity profile] topgeargirl2.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry to hear that you lost your job but happy that you have a new job in the new year.

Merry Christmas and hopefully 2011 will be a great year.

[identity profile] valancy-joy.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
um. wow. not sure whether to say "yay no more bad workplace" or "those rat bastards" ... but anyway here's hoping for a better 2011 ... I would be freaking out, but I also know the relief of no longer having to do a job you dislike. (should have seen me the day I finally quit walmart :)

xoxoxoxo bb

[identity profile] candesgirl.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
Um. Holy crap. That's huge stuff, babe. You seem happy about it though, and I know that as of late you've been unhappy there, so I am glad for you and your new opportunities. This guy sounds like such a tool.

I hope you can just relax and enjoy your time off, consider it a Christmas vacation, eh?

[identity profile] lovedlea.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
you are surprisingly chipper for someone who just lost your job, even if it was one you wanted to lose. i get in a situation like that and cry my eyes out. GO YOU! yay new job! :D and YAY VACATION TIME! :)

[identity profile] dremiel.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
WOW! How very sad to see a place you've been proud of decimated. I hope this is the very good change that you are hoping it will be; I know you've been unhappy there. Obviously don't sign away any rights. If Friday was truly your first bad eval and they hadn't warned you about any of the issues you may have an arguement for age discrimination - know you don't want to go that way but tuck it in the back of your head in case the new position doesn't work out.

As an HR professional I am embarrassed that they slipped this in before the end of the year and even more so that the assholes clearly knew this was coming but didn't want any unpleasantness at Saturday's party. Apart from anything else they are rat-bastards and you are well shot of them!

New year and new jobs for you AND Nick. WOW!
contrarywise: Glowing green trees along a road (find x)

[personal profile] contrarywise 2010-12-21 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
Well, dang. But good for you and your network, lining you up to get back to work with good friends and colleagues!

It is sad to see a formerly good, strong organization killed by one person with an agenda and no sense otherwise. But I'm glad you're landing on your feet, and I hope you enjoy your time off!

[identity profile] paragraphs.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
I think it will be. Sure already beats 2010! Yeah I am fortunate....kept my connections over at the old place, and have done projects over there off and on for years. 9.5 years though! I almost wanted to laugh. Man on man.

Am at Starbucks eating gingerbread cake and drinking hot apple cider. Mmmmm!

[identity profile] paragraphs.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
LOL! Both!! Both fit, absolutely.

Well... i would be freaking out too if I hadn't been talking all the past week to former boss, and knew that Steve would take me back. It isn't a done deal, but close enough that I am sure it will work out. Especially after talking to Steve then getting a bunch of emails from friends excited to have me back. LOL.

Goodbye stress!

[identity profile] paragraphs.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
Yup, am going to do that indeed. And yeah, I have been unhappy and BORED there for awhile. Terribly bored. I'd been playing with the 'what if I left?' scenario, but was envisioning this time next year. Guess not.

Hopefully everything will smooth out and I will get situated early January. I had better.

[identity profile] paragraphs.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
LOL well I knew I had a back-up, so that made it easier. Still sucks, but mostly am just sad as I used to love that place. But the place I loved was gone long before today. :*( Dang it.

I don't feel like crying at all. There is just nothing there that I will miss. Sad, huh, after so many years.

[identity profile] tx-cronopio.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
Well, damn! I'm just so glad you have another position waiting in the wings. Fuck 'em all, anyway :)

[identity profile] paragraphs.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, isn't that something? Pretty stunning, but convinces me all the more that this is no longer my place. I think ever since Chris got fired for ridiculous reasons I could be next. We both thought that. Thankfully I had a really good rep at my old dept at BNSF, and they have something opening. The person leaving is giving notice on the 30th, and it would be working right with the two people I used to work with. And Chris is there, which makes it more fun. Good people, always doing fun things. I have lots of friends there, always loved going over there for projects over the years.

Oh Bartlett & West, what are you DOING??? I will be watching from afar now to see what they'll do, but it will be with a head shaking as I watch.

[identity profile] criada.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Job Switching Sisters! :-D
Good luck!

[identity profile] paragraphs.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, he has an agenda and that is to make sure every person working there is a yes-man and bows to what he commands. Shocking to watch as it used to be so family-oriented. Ah well!

[identity profile] paragraphs.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
yeah, for real! Are you still at the art institute thing or did you find something else? Crazy times, for sure. ARGH.

[identity profile] lovedlea.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
it is sad, but all good things come to an end. whenever one door closes blah blah blah. :)

[identity profile] paragraphs.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
LOL to you too--was so glad you got something new! WOO!

[identity profile] blue-fjords.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I'm w/ dremiel here --
As an HR professional I am embarrassed that they slipped this in before the end of the year and even more so that the assholes clearly knew this was coming but didn't want any unpleasantness at Saturday's party. Apart from anything else they are rat-bastards and you are well shot of them!

Word! I am so glad that there is a spot someplace else w/ the people you liked!

[identity profile] sunhawk.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
That's so crazy, but I'm glad you have another job lined up already, that must be a huge relief! *hugs*

[identity profile] m-barnette.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 05:37 am (UTC)(link)
I am so sorry that you've lost your job but maybe it's for the best, the guy sounds like an a$$.

At least you don't have to worry about finding a new job since you already have one lined up.

Congratulations on the 'new' job and may the New Year bring you joy and success.

[identity profile] duikermeisie.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 06:18 am (UTC)(link)
What a maroon.

I kind of wondered if something was up over the copier thing....I mean, talk about petty, and rumour-mill based pettiness.

Good luck with the new job.

[identity profile] la-localfreak.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 07:25 am (UTC)(link)
Oh wow. Like everyone else has said it's kind of a cross between 'I'm so sorry a place you were proud of has all gone to poo and they're absolute hommodores to fling this at you, particularly this week!' but at the same time congrats on the new job and I hope it'll be a much happier place for you come the new year :). Just think- the minute you go they'll be all 'Bugger, what do we do now?' without you!
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[identity profile] qthelights.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 07:45 am (UTC)(link)
dude, between you and Nick this week... jesus!!

i am glad you will be back with people who care about you so soon :)

[identity profile] catsintheattic.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 08:27 am (UTC)(link)
Well ... first of all, I'm glad that your perspective on the new job is all bright and shiny. You deserve a good place and good people, not those nutters. It's one of the most horrible things to work at a place that keeps treating you badly. Also, yay for unexpected free time!

On the other hand, it's such a sad story. Why must there be always someone who destroys a good thing? And it's never the task or a hostile environment, it's almost always a person from within who ruins it.
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[identity profile] heleninwales.livejournal.com 2010-12-21 09:11 am (UTC)(link)
I was really worried for you there for moment. It's bad enough being told that you're no longer required but to do it this close to Christmas! :(

Then I read on and discovered that all being well you will have a much better job in the new year with people you like. Well done you on keeping up the contacts!

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